Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2019

The Board denied service connection for lung cancer, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and heart condition, all of which the Veteran claimed were caused by exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune. The Board found that there was no evidence linking these conditions to his military service or time in proximity to Camp Lejeune.

The Board has granted service connection for coronary artery disease and Parkinson's disease, finding that the Veteran set foot in Vietnam during his military service. As a result, these conditions are presumed to be related to herbicide exposure.

The Board has found that further development is required before the issues of effective dates and disability ratings for service-connected coronary artery disease can be adjudicated. The Veteran's claims are being remanded to allow for proper procedures to be followed.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II, prostate cancer, ischemic heart disease, right lower extremity diabetic neuropathy, and left lower extremity diabetic neuropathy are granted. The VA is directed to schedule the Veteran for examinations to determine if his hypertension, PTSD, sleep apnea, loss of teeth, pulmonary edema, and erectile dysfunction are related to his service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's hearing loss is not service-connected as it did not onset in service or within one year of his discharge and is not related to service.,There is no evidence of a current respiratory disability, and the Board finds that any such condition is not related to service.,Service connection for heart disability is denied as there is no evidence of a current condition and none was found to be related to service.,The Veteran's low back disability is not service-connected as it did not onset in service or within one year of his discharge and is not related to service.,The bilateral knee disability is not service-connected as the Veteran has no current diagnosis and there is no evidence linking any condition to service.,Service connection for arthritis is denied as there is no evidence of a current condition and none was found to be related to service.

The Veteran's kidney disability, bilateral hearing loss, heart disability (coronary artery disease), and peripheral vascular disease claims have been withdrawn. The skin cancer claim has been remanded for further review.,Service connection for the Veteran’s heart disability and peripheral vascular disease due to ionizing radiation exposure is denied as these conditions are not considered radiogenic diseases.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating in excess of 10 percent for coronary artery disease (CAD) is denied as his symptoms do not meet the criteria for a higher disability rating.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claim for specially adapted housing and special home adaptation grant is remanded due to a duty-to-assist error. The Veteran needs an examination to assess his service-connected disabilities and their impact on his ability to use aids such as braces, crutches, canes or a wheelchair.

The Veteran's claim for TDIU from January 4, 2011 is dismissed as the RO has already granted this benefit.,An effective date prior to January 4, 2011 for the grant of TDIU is denied because the evidence does not show that the Veteran was unemployable due to his service-connected disabilities prior to that date.

The Board found no evidence of herbicide exposure and denied service connection for coronary artery disease.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to new evidence received after the last Supplemental Statement of the Case (SSOC).

The Veteran's unauthorized cardiology services were denied reimbursement as they did not meet the criteria for emergency medical care or VA Choice Program authorization.

The Veteran's appeal for payment or reimbursement of unauthorized medical expenses is dismissed due to his death.

The Veteran's initial disability rating for coronary artery disease (CAD) is granted at a 30 percent level, reflecting the severity of his condition as determined by VA medical evaluations and testimony.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection on multiple conditions have been withdrawn and are dismissed. The appeal for service connection for erectile dysfunction as a residual of gonorrhea is remanded.

The Veteran's claims for clothing allowances related to knee braces, a manual wheelchair, diabetic shoes and inserts, and topical medication were denied. The decision grants payment of a clothing allowance for bilateral knee braces used due to service-connected disabilities that wore out his clothing in 2017.

The Board has granted service connection for a heart condition, finding that the Veteran's current diagnosis of coronary artery disease is related to his active military service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and need for further examination. The issues include joint pain, muscle pain, fatigue, headaches, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), respiratory condition, and heart condition.

The Veteran's unauthorized medical expenses incurred on May 4, 2017 at KFHP are approved for continued non-emergency treatment. The issue of reimbursement or payment for services rendered on May 9, 2017 is remanded due to lack of private treatment records.

The Veteran's hypertension and heart condition are not related to service, with the exception of a possible familial connection for hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.,Service connection is denied for hypertension due to lack of evidence linking it to service. The heart condition remains under review.